Modwright Preamp Owners.

Went from a Jolida Music Envoy pre to the Modwright LS-100.  Had solid state MCormack Line Drive before the Jolida.  Wanted to try tubes.  Liked them both, but couldn't get used to the tube noise.  Believe me, I spent plenty of cash on various expensive, as well as inexpensive tubes, but just couldn't adjust.  Loved the sound, except for the noise.  Had a lot of bad luck with noisy tubes so I went back to solid state with an Ayre K-1xe and haven't changed a thing since.  Spending money on music instead.

I have had a full weekend with my newly acquired used LS-100 and am finding it quite nice. It came with Sophia Electric 6SN7s and Mullard GZ34 tubes and I had some extra 12AU7 NOS Mullards around for the phono section. Sound is noticeably more detailed and soundstage improved over my Conrad Johnson LS17. My amplifier (DNA-1) has a lot of gain so I don’t need the higher gain phono tubes. The preamp is more impressive in person that in photos...its big and nicely built. Had to fine tune my DACs output to get the volume correct, one negative on the LS-100 is the volume dial isn’t as precise but that’s nit picking a bit....its lush and dynamic. I’ll be keeping this for a while and selling my current setup soon. Also got positive girlfriend feedback on the upgrade...always a bonus.

My LS-100 replaced a Consonance Cyber 222 mkii, which replaced a Wright Sound WLA12A. As you can see, I'm a fan of the 6SN7.   :-)   The LS-100 has been terrific in my system, especially after procuring some Sophia 6SN7s and a Synergy HiFi 5AR4. I've had it for 4 years now, longer than any previous preamp, and I've no desire to upgrade.

Anybody have any idea how the herron VTSP-3A R03 preamp stacks up against today's top flight preamps like the audio research ref6 or the levinson 52 , ayre kxr twenty or luxman c900u?

I started with a LS 36.5 (single box) which replaced an ARC LS26. The Modwright performed better than the ARC in my system, but the sound quality was close--both sounded pretty neutral, with the Modwright being a little more dynamically adept and detailed. At the suggestion of a friend I sold the LS 36.5 and replaced it with the LS100. The LS100 had significantly more "tube" characteristics, was warmer in tone and a little more spacious. However, I found it noisier than the LS36.5 (or the ARC LS26). Dan patiently worked with me to bring the noise level down but ultimately I decided to sell the LS100 in favor of a Herron VTSP-3A RO2 (which has since been upgraded to RO3 status). While more money than any of my prior linestages, in my system the Herron far outperformed the Modwright or ARC components. It is dead quiet, more musically natural sounding, has better timing (PRaT) and has more useful features. And as everyone here will acknowledge, Keith Herron is a joy to work with (no dis on Dan Wright who is also one of the true "good guys" in audio). Yes, the Herron is significantly more money. However, in my system it is clearly superior to any other linestage I have owned or auditioned. 

Thanks for the clarification.  Any other previous or current LS100 owner care to chime in?  For what this devices has to offer, I am surprised there aren't more stand alone reviews.

Sorry hikmer was responding to your comment " The LS 100 seems to fit the perfect price point I'm trying to target, think I'll pull the trigger"

I have yet to buy the LS 100 but trying to get a feeling what level of performance it offers. What preamps do people feel it betters?

hikmer

Give the LS100 some time to break-in; and I highly recommend swapping in either Sophia Electric or NOS Sylvania 6SN7s.  I also swapped in a NOS Phillips 5AR4, you may or may not feel the need/desire to NOS rectifier.

cantorgale

I think Dan specifically developed the Ambrose One preamp to pair with the Ambrose monoblocks; have you asked him how the rest of the preamp line-up marries up with them?

The LS 100 seems to fit the perfect price point I'm trying to target, think I'll pull the trigger and if it doesn't meet my expectations, I'm guessing it wouldn't be too hard to resell used.  The SWL doesn't have the feature set I want and the 36.5 is a bit too pricy (albeit I havent seen one used).

Any thoughts comparing SWL 9.0 Anniversary Ed with LS 36.5?
One of Dan’s pre’s will pair with his new Ambrose a30 mono blocks to replace my current ss kit.

hikimer, i tried a manley shrimp. not the jumbo. i called manley and asked about the upgrade. they said it wasn't worth it if you didn't want remote. i was not impressed with the shrimp. as a matter of fact i had a bat vk3i and it was much better.

I'm considering the LS100 with a phono stage to replace a Conrad Johnson LS17 (mk1) due to a newer amp that requires less gain (CJ is ~25db).  I've also looked at the Modwright SWL 9.0 Signature but I really like the looks and features of the LS100 with a tube phono stage and better remote.  Also considering Manley Jumbo Shrimp...my gear is all single ended so I would rather not pay for a preamp that has balanced connections.  Any feedback welcome.

I just bought the SWL 9.0 Anniversary Edition, which is an evolution of the 9.0 SE.  It's definitely an improvement over my outgoing VTL TL2.5; improved dynamics, great inner detail, and superb build quality.  Dealing with Dan has also been a pleasure.

-John

thanks for the answers. Dan told me that many like the special 9.0 better than the LS100.

My LS100 replaced my SWL9.0SE "Signature", which replaced an Audio Research LS16MKII.  However, "I" never really warmed up to the LS100.

I also prefer the 6SN7 tubes, but the LS100 just didn't have the "magic" that the SWL9.0SE Sig possessed.

I really miss my SWL9.0SE Sig and am currently looking for another one.  This unit had the tube rectified power supply and the full complement of Modwright capacitors.

One of my favorite preamps of all time and I've owned LOTS and LOTS of preamps...

My LS100 replaced a Modwright SW 9.0 SE. Have built in phono stage, love this thing.

I have owned my LS 100 since 2011 and have no desire to change it. Before that I had a number of line stages ( Melos, Simaudio, Audible Illusions, Audio Note M zero) and passive preamps, none stayed in my system as long as the LS 100.

The LS100 is the first preamp I tried and it remains in my main system. I am partial to the sound of 6sn7s, and at least in my experience I have not found bass bloat while using either Black Treasure CV181s, Sophia Electric 6sn7s, or NOS Sylvania 6sn7s. 

Thanks for the insight on the LS 100.

I went from an Audio Research Ls-15 to MW 36.5 years ago.  Huge improvement.  No doubt the separate MW power supply would improve things, and I guess one might find a preamp which suits his taste slightly more, with an infinite budget.   Better ergonomics can be had.  Considering that an improvement would run $5 - 20K,   I have no desire to upgrade from the 36.5.   
   
   

thanks, that's kind of what I'm hearing. I am using an Audio Research LS17SE. But I thought about a modwright with a phono section.

I replaced my Juicy Music Blueberry XTreme with an LS100. I eventually replaced my LS100 with a Modwright 36.5 which I'm currently running. I really liked the 6H30 tube in the JM, but the LS100 did EVERYTHING better than it by a good margain, but I found the LS100 a bit on the warm side for my liking with my amps.

I rolled a lot of 6SN7's through it and could never tame what seemed like bass bloat to me. I thought if the 36.5 does all the good stuff the LS100 did, but with the more linear response of the 6H30 tube then it would be perfect.

It's still in my system. I love my 36.5.

- Woody